Newbie Question - Dented 5.56 brass

I just recently started collecting the pieces/parts to do some handloading (Redding T7 press, Redding powder dispenser, Lyman turbo tumbler, etc etc etc). My original plan was to just handload .260 Rem ammunition for long range target/match shooting.

Back in Sept when I did the economic calculations for reloading 5.56/223 ammo it didn't make sense to me to reload since I was buying good 5.56 ammo for 'just' $0.35/rd. However that equation has changed recently :eek: and I had already started collecting my 5.56 brass a couple months ago so I already have about 400 5.56 brass.

Now that I have taken a good look at my 5.56 brass I notice that EVERY one has a small dent in the same place. My initial web search seems to indicate that this is not uncommon and should not be a problem? please see attached photo.

Obviously defective brass. Send them to me and I will dispose of them properly...

rcmodel

January 2, 2013, 10:29 PM

Re-size them and get back to us!! :D

This guy has a problem.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=8616820&postcount=1

You don't.

rc

lightman

January 3, 2013, 09:21 PM

I would load those again,without any second thoughts.The link that RC provided shows a more serious problem.I'd say you are good to go. Lightman

blarby

January 3, 2013, 09:22 PM

Lol....

Cranky CJ

January 3, 2013, 10:22 PM

vtail is just trying to take advantage of you. you need to send them to me. i'm not trying to do that.

blarby

January 3, 2013, 10:52 PM

An interesting segway- Sorry OP :

If you didn't anneal necks.... Would .223/5.56 brass split at the neck long before case head sep became an issue ?

Walkalong

January 4, 2013, 10:19 AM

Would .223/5.56 brass split at the neck long before case head sep became an issue ?
It all depends on how far the shoulder is pushed back and the pressure they are loaded to. You can have a case head separation on one firing, annealed or not.

Shallow dents are not a problem. Creases or gouges are what I scrap. If it looks like it would rupture I no longer save them. I did try saving a few that had creased necks and every one of them split where the crease was.

Walkalong

January 5, 2013, 10:11 AM

True...

Barring bonehead overloads, or case forming that leaves you with 22 shorts though...... ?My .223 cases have suffered from loose primer pockets before neck splits or signs of case head separation.

918v

January 5, 2013, 10:45 AM

I reuse even deep dents. They blow out. It depends on the profile of the dent. If the dent creases the brass, the point of the crease creates a weak spot. If the bottom of the dent is round, it is not a problem.

Walkalong

January 5, 2013, 01:53 PM

Yes, dents are OK, creases are not. Round vs sharp at the bottom, as noted by 819v.

helotaxi

January 5, 2013, 03:12 PM

I don't even think I would notice those little superficial dings. I've gotten new brass in worse shape than that.